By Shocking
It has been very dry and very very cold at the start of December. Brass monkey weather all over again!! I know November was one of the mildest on record, which I have no complaints about. Anyway, December came and the mercury in the thermometer just dropped out the bottom of it, it went that cold. I know -9C probably isn’t too cold for some people, but to me, any feeling I have stops at around -5C and I become Zombified.
Zombified
I know some people say I become Zombified at much higher temperatures than that, but that’s another story. As it became colder and I spent most of the time literally fire fighting to keep the house warm, strange things started to happen. Not that strange, because it has happened before. Nearly everyone and everything started to produce awful, painful shocks whenever I would touch them. The sparks were also accompanied by a loud snapping sound, similar to a Christmas cracker being pulled at a party.
Dehydration
I know the cause of it, dehydration. It’s so painful, spark, crack, OUCH!!! And it’s the same for the other person too. However, it’s not only people but anything that is metal. Door knobs, car door handles, wood burner door, ash bucket, cutlery, door knockers oh and people, the list is almost endless. My wife goes to the shops, I say goodbye to her and as she leaves she goes to give me a kiss, crack, ouch what the #* was that? It is so painful. I shut the door and touch the handle, crack, OUCH, OH MY!!! I want water, but I’m frightened to touch the tap! What a dilemma.
Water
I did finally find a bottle of unopened still water which, being plastic, didn’t pose a threat of electrocution when I picked it up. I really have no idea why being dehydrated makes you like a walking pylon, but it does and of course, it’s such an easy solution to stop the welding sparks. You don’t have to touch the other person either. A friend called in and I made him a cup of tea and all I did was pass him the cup and as he put his hand out, spark, crackkkk, what the ## was that?
Merry Christmas
I have cured myself of this perpetual sparking by drinking plenty of water. However, I am left with a habit that is driving me mad. I cannot go by a doorknob, handle or even a knife and fork without putting gloves on first to stop the chance of those painful sparks that HURT SO MUCH!!! I will get through it but what a dilemma! This just leaves me to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and may 2023 be your year. Thank you.
If you’re interested in this phenomenon, here’s a website.
SueW
December 20, 2022How very very strange. My son Joshua occasionally has the same problem, I shall direct him to the website. Thank you
I guess you’ve taken off those new rubber boots from the top of your Christmas wish list! Happy Christmas, Trev 🙂
Trev
December 20, 2022Thankfully, it doesn’t happen very often and the solution is quite easy. I hope your son finds it helpful, it hurts when it starts. Thank you, Sue and a very Merry Christmas to you. 😊
harmonykentonline
December 20, 2022Wow, I never would have linked this phenomenon to dehydration! I’m prone to static shocks, and it’s so much worse when in the wheelchair even with an anti-static strip trailing between chair and floor! Thanks for sharing, Trev. Wishing you a happy holiday season 💕🙂
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you. Have a shock free Christmas 😊
Peace Truth
December 20, 2022Merry Christmas old buddy 😂
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you 😊
ways4.eu
December 20, 2022Very good description of a phenomenon I am very familiar with 👍😀 Can be very painful, indeed. But whenever it hits me, I think of the saying: “What doesn’t kill us makes us strong !”😇
Trev
December 20, 2022I feel for you, it’s most unpleasant. Thank you 😊
Eileen
December 20, 2022That’s shocking!! (sorry) I’m similarly afflicted but not quite as bad. Particularly bad when getting out of my car and occasionally when about to switch a light on – which is worrying. I’m not usually dyhydrated though, as far as I know. Some other handy hints here – https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Static-Electricity – I’m going to try the safety pin tip. I wonder if using handcream would be sufficient on the moisturiser front? Have a merry – and static-free – Christmas 🙂
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you, Eileen 😊thanks for the link too.
derrickjknight
December 20, 2022Your good wishes reciprocated, Trev
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you, Derrick 😊
Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes
December 20, 2022This used to happen to me a lot, but I never knew what caused it…
Trev
December 20, 2022It seems so daft, yet when I drink the water, a couple of large glasses full, the shocks do stop. Thank you. 🙂
wibiwonders
December 20, 2022Interesting… glad you managed to find a cure. Happy Christmas to you, too!
Trev
December 20, 2022Me too, thank you. 🙂
newepicauthor
December 20, 2022Static shock is more likely to happen in colder, drier climates because this type of air lacks the moisture needed for static electricity to find balance. Warm air, on the other hand, holds more moisture, which is why static shock is a lot less common during summer. To get rid of static electricity in the winter, you should use cotton blankets, special furniture covers, and anti-static sprays can also be helpful. You can also install humidifiers to reduce your risk of static shock.
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you, Jim, although drinking glasses of water certainly helped. 🙂
Peter's pondering
December 20, 2022You’ll have to get Debbie to throw a bucket of water over you before you give her a farewell kiss! Hope you have a restful, happy, and healthy Christmas.
Trev
December 20, 2022Don’t give her any ideas, Peter. But thank you. 🙂
susiesopinions
December 20, 2022Haven’t heard’Brass Monkey’ in years 🤣
Trev
December 20, 2022Ha, it’s been proper brass monkey here just lately. Thank you, Susie. 🙂
luisa zambrotta
December 20, 2022Wow! It happens to me too at this time.
Are you saying it’s dehydration? I’ìì have to drink more
Trev
December 20, 2022Oh dear, Luisa. Yes, dehydration is what has caused it for me. Drinking more water cured it. Thank you, Luisa. 🙂
SusanR
December 20, 2022We’re all too familiar with this in Colorado. It’s naturally very dry here, and cold in the winter. One’s eyes get dry and uncomfortable, skin gets dry and itchy, sinuses and throats get dry and irritated. Adding humidity in the house (humidifiers, boiling water, showers) is really the only solution, but too much, and then your windows start fogging up, with possible damage to the sills. (One source says this next cold front due in on Thursday could drop our daytime high temperature to -5°F! That’s about 40 degrees colder than normal! Anyway, Happy Holidays from across the pond.
Trev
December 20, 2022Yes, the temperatures dropped here for the first couple of weeks in December. It does make a big difference, but thankfully, the water or drinking plenty of it seemed to have cured it. Thank you and a Merry Christmas. 🙂
Going Batty in Wales
December 20, 2022Now if beer or other booze is as good at protecting you as plain water you have the perfect excuse for a very Merry Christmas!
Trev
December 20, 2022Now there’s a great idea. I will try it next time it happens, but I have a feeling I’ll still be getting the shocks. Thank you. 🙂
John
December 20, 2022The pain is real, Trev! This happens here too since the desert is so dry. Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas Trev and family! ☺️🇬🇧❤️
Rosaliene Bacchus
December 20, 2022Oh my, Trev! I have to stay far from you 🙂 I’ve experienced such electric shocks but nothing like what you’ve described.
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you, Rosaliene, but I’m sure you’ll be fine, especially after I’ve had a couple of glasses of water. 🙂
Herb
December 20, 2022Merry Christmas! I’ve always loved being shocking to others, lol.
Trev
December 20, 2022Merry Christmas, Herb, keep on shocking. 🙂
Carolyn
December 20, 2022Funny…I used to experience this every winter. It would happen when I was in the supermarket shopping and it made me drop things and say naughty words! Then I found that I could discharge myself by flicking the tip of a fingernail onto something. These days I almost never get shocked and I know I don’t drink nearly enough fluid. Grant is always getting shocked. I will tell him to check out the link! Best wishes for a shock-free Christmas and New Year
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you, Carolyn. I can imagine how painful it must be in a supermarket with all the metal in there. Glad it doesn’t bother you know. Happy Christmas. 🙂
June Lorraine Roberts
December 20, 2022Hope Santa brings you more gloves Trevor – Merry Christmas!
Trev
December 20, 2022Thank you, June and perhaps he will bring me some water. 🙂
Jim Flanigan
December 21, 2022I love the term “brass monkey weather.” We’ve got some coming for Christmas weekend. I hope the weather moderates by you so your shocking experiences dissipate a bit. Merry Christmas.
Trev
December 21, 2022Thank you, Jim and a Merry Christmas to you. 😊
Cindy Georgakas
December 21, 2022I’ve never heard of “brass Monkey weather” and it sounds hopeful that I never experience it! Best of the holidays to you! 🙏🏼🎄
Trev
December 21, 2022Thank you, Cindy and yes, Brass Monkey weather is always best avoided. Merry Christmas 😊
Lou Carreras
December 24, 2022Merry Christmas, Trev!
Trev
December 24, 2022Thank you, Lou. Merry Christmas 😊🙏🙏🙏
Ileana
December 26, 2022The climate is changing!
Happy Holidays with your loved ones!☃🤗🙏
Trev
December 26, 2022Thank you, Ileana and a merry Christmas and happy new year to you and yours. 🙂
pkmundo Educación Infantil y mucho más.
January 21, 2023Buen post. Un cordial saludo desde el sur de España 🇪🇸
Trev
January 21, 2023Thank you. 😊